Lubricating system and method of installing the same



June 4, 1935.

R. E. PETRIE LUBRICATING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF INSTALLING THE SAME Filed March 14, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 4, 1935. y R. E. PETRIE 2,003,389

LUBRICATING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF I-NSTALLING THE SME` Filed March 14, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 se 546, j W 066 ,5j 51@ Eme/#6; @of/m Patented June'4v, v1935 PATENT OFFICE:

lll-1f 1 No; 522,664

' 17 claims. @Lisi-'27)' This invention relates to allubricating` system for supplying measured quantities ofV lubricant to a plurality of locations,landmore particularly to a lubricating system capable of efficiently and f 5 automatically lubricating a numberfof 'bearing portant bearing points;

points wherein each bearing-point or the like r# ceives a measured andf timed"`delivery of" lubricant separately from the `other bearingJ points,

although the invention Willhave many and ya nous USBS and purposes as will be .apparent to one skilled in the art. f Y i In' the past, many and Various systems of lubrication forautomobiles and `numerous other mechanismshave beendeveloped, butshave, in most instances, dueto` inherent structural characteristics, proven objectionable. Forr example,

there was the original oil can system,rwhere` eachf bearing point injthemechanism was lubricated by means of an oilican in the hands ofan operator who mustof necessity, for the proper functioning of the mechanism, individually apply oil to each bearing point. There wasalso the greasegun system wherein :a grease-gun was used to apply lubricant at each bearing point. Obvious-V` ly inconnection with vmost mechanisms and especially so Vwithian` automotive vehiclegsuch sys` tems were highly objectionable due to the time and labor expendedfin` lubricating. the apparatusi Later, in the development of the automobile, a n lubricatingvsystem-was devised whereby, by the depression of a pedal or equivalent means, lubricant was movedI toward each or the most im- I-Ioweverwith such a system, infthe, event the lubricant Aline or lines would become plugged adjacent a bearing point, the lubricant i might ,be supplied 'to' various other Y bearing points,V but would never `reach the ones nearest the defect inthe line. Consequentlmit Ywas a mere matter of time before considerable t points in need of lubricantfwould lackan ade- A quate supply, with thezre'sultant injury to the mechanism., The same `objections apply toa later developed Asystem on the same order of the above Amentioned system, but supplying the lubricant by'means actuated by the Vehicle engine. Still another `system formerly employed for the lubricatinglof automotive vehicles was the :ao-called Jiggle system; wherein a plunger or piston disposed `above a' quantity of lubricant wasbounced up and d own by the jarring of the l vehicle and was so intended to force lubricant to the bearing points. The inadequacyof such afsystem` is obvious. -In' short, lall previously known lubricating systems of which I am aware,

j failed toeliminategthe labor necessary to V:indi-lf Vtime intervals in a positive manner.

*vidually lubricateveach bearing point by hand and at thesame time provide positive lubrication at each and every point.V p ,l

The present invention has been designed to overcome the above noted'as well as other defects and objections in the provision of anV im` `proved. self-operating lubricating system forlsupl-V plying measured Ychargesof lubricant to selected points requiring lubrication at predetermined It is also an object of thisinvention to provide an improved automatic lubricating system'which positively and individually -lubricates each bearing point of amechanism.

It is alsof anobject of this invention to provide aniimproved permanent displacement lubricating system which feeds separate measured charges to a plurality of points Vto be lubricated. l

` A further'object of this invention is the provision of a lubricating system'having apluralityV of means each of which forces lubricant to an individual bearing point, the means being'subjected to sequential operation, whereby there isa uniform distributionof operating loads during the cycle of operation. y Y Y `A still furtherobject of thepresent invention isthe provisionof a lubricating system embody-l ing a mechanism designated to permanently displace lubricant from a reservoir into an individual vconduit for each bearing point, the operating mechanism being entirely free. vfrom threaded connections; 1 A

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a lubricating mechanism which positivelyv and individually forces lubricant lto al plurality of points in need thereof at timed in-4 tervals and in quantities corresponding to the amount of lubricantwhich may be 'substantially used by the time the nextcharge is delivered;

It is another object of this invention to provide a Alubricating system whichA automatically lubri-V cates each bearing point of an apparatus with a certainrdeinite'amount of lubricant regardless.` ofrwhether or not the number of points tobe' Vlubricated may unintentionally vary from time to time. n l Y Still another. object of this invention is the' provision of a lubricating system arranged t0 automatically and positivelylubricate each point Vin .an `apparatus in neediof lubricant, andv are ranged l in such a manner that a glance is sufricient toascertain if there is a failure of lubricant supply at any point, and if so, the exact location at which the failure hasoccurred. y

An additionalobject of this invention istlfie` fof ' as indicatedbytheline II-II Vof Figure 1,

provision of a lubricating system whereby the bearing points of an apparatus are each provided with an individual supply tube, the supply tubes being arranged in unitary bundles, each bundle supplying a different region of the apparatus and all of the bundles being connected to the same mechanism whereby the lubricant is supplied and forced through the'tubes. v

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved method of installing and using a lubricating system.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been above pointed out, 'others will be-jcome apparent from the following disclosures.

The invention includes these and other features of construction and combinations of parts dicated by the claims.

' AOn the drawings: l

l Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevational View of a lubricating system embodying Ythe principles of the present invention.' L

Figure 2 is an venlarged `fragmentary plansectional view of the main operating structure. of the system shown in Figure 1, taken substantially and with the cover removed; n

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View taken substantially as-indicated by the line III- IIIIl of Figure 2.

, Figure 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal 'vertical-f sectional View taken substantially as indicated bythe line IV-IVv of Figure 2. Y'

rFigure 5 is a vertical sectionalview, with parts in elevation, taken substantiallyy as indicated `by the staggered section kline V-V of Figure 2. f y.Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view, with parts in elevation,A taken substantially as indicated by the line .VI-VI `of Figure 2. n Figure 7 is an enlargedV fragmentary vertical Sectional AView of the plunger mechanism taken Substantially asindicatedby the line VIL-VII of Figure 3. f

Figure 8 is; an enlarged fragmentary plan sectional viewtaken substantiallyas indicatedV by the line VIII-VIII of Figure 4.

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectionalview through the nozzle on the end of the supplyv tube and taken substantially as indicated by the line IX-IX of Figure l. f

As shown on `the drawings: vIn the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, there is shown a casing I@ having spaced bosses Vll on the sides thereof, each boss containing a threaded aperture to accommodate the shank-.of a-bolt l2 by means cfwhich bolts a cover `I3 is securely held upon the casing, there being a suitable liquid tight gasket lllbetween..

the casing. and cover. With reference to Figure 2, it will be seen that the casing'is provided with an integral offset portion lhavingv its own bottom .and which, together with the kadjacent end of the `main portion of `the casing, 'functions as a gear box, the contents of which will be later described herein. The cover-is likewise shaped so that onecover is suicient for the entire casing top. At each end of the longer or main portion of the casing,fan integral bracket le is provided by meansof which the device may be mounted in any Suitable location. Thecasing. lll, preferablyv a die-cast casing, is provided in thelonger portion thereof with an integral -false bottomV IlV and is designed to function as a lubricant vreservoir or container, the casing either carrying the full charge of lubricant or being fed from a supply pipe lS entering through the cover i3 (Fig. 1)

Each end of the longer portion of the casing I0 is provided with an integral bearing seat l 9 which may be lined with any suitable bearing material, if so desired, and which bearing seats receive opposite ends of a main shaftZi). At spaced intervals along the false bot-tom' l 'l other integral bearing seats 2l extend upwardly therefrom so .thatV the shaft 2B will be supported properly throughout its length. The cover i3 is also providedl with downwardly extending integral bearinlg'seats at each end thereof to coincide with the bearing seats IS of the casing, and with bearing seats 23Jspacedalong the longer portion of the cover yto coincide with bearing seats 2l.

- Y The main shaft 28 has a spiral groove 26 therein (Fig. i3) and cams 25 each carrying an integral d etent'or key 26 and an 'integral spacing washer 2l' arestrung on the shaft by inserting the key 25 intothegroove Zand allowing the cams to assume theirvrespectivel positions in accordance withV the curvature of the groove. These cams are preferably metal stampings of identical construction, with the. single' exception of the cam at one end of the row which naturally has a foreshortened spacing Washer whichv abuts the bearinglseats I9 and 22 at this end of the casing, and no other'l means are required for maintaining the. cams .in their respective fixed positions relativeto ,the shaft 253. 'l Ofcourse, the' cams will be out offexact phase with eachother due to the curvature of thegroove 2li, andthis groove is so curved that all of thecams would be equally out of exact phase. For example, inthe present instance, the grooveV inthe shaft starting at the right hand end of the shaft .as the same is seen in FigureZ should 4be A2ldegrees short of a complete revolution immediately under the last left hand'cam, since in the present instance, fifteen cams are shown and consequently they yshould each bek 2li-,degrees out of exact phase.

Each of` thecams 25 is arranged to lower'and raise a crosshead 28 designed with a central aperture 2Q therein Within whichthe cam is disposedrv The crossheads 28 are each preferably formed byA uniting a pair of Vcomplemental stampings welded or otherwise secured together, and adjacent the aperture 29 thestampings are provided withopposed outward flanges 30 to furnish a proper ysurface for contact `with the respective cam. On opposite sides' thereof, the stampings forming 'each of the crossheads are flared outwardly as at 3l to provide substantially a V-notch for receiving ribs 32 preferably cast integrally with the side walls of the casing l0 when the same is formed. These ribs, of course, act as guides for the reciprocatory movement of' the crossheads. .InA the present instance, since the cams 25 are shown with three maximum points and three minimum points, the crossheads will make three up and down cycles of movement for each revolution of the main shaft 2li.A

.With reference now to Figures Y3 and 7, it will be seen that the bottom portion of each crosshead 28 is formed to providea row of sockets 33,'in this instance ythree sockets, each for the purpose of receiving a head 35i and a neck 35 formed on theV upper end fof a lplunger 36, whereby the plungers are firmly secured tothe crossheads.

Each of the plungers 36 is provided withan enlarged guide bearing portion 3l received in an aperture 38 in the false bottoml'l' of thelower positive in-its action insuring an individual sup-,-V

zo Y

ing asupply oflubricant and having outletopen-f' Fromthe ioregoinghitl apparent that Iv have provided a lubricating system `.whichisjhighly ply of lubricant toeaclfr of the plurality of bearf ing points. It is ,also obviousi-thatthe deviceis exceedingly simple in construction and `operation, readily installed andmay be very economi# cally manufactured. Further,;the systeml oper-f atesV under `a nevi/' A and novel installation and, use.

which reduces initial labor andexpense'and providesmore positive results y.;

I amaware thatymanyjchanges may -bemade andA 1 numerous details f of construction may libe varied through,- a Wide rangezvvithout` departing fromthet principles; of ,thisin vention, and I,

therefore, do` not purpose` limiting thepatent granted hereonotherwise than is necessitated by the prior art. if a A e fI claimas my'iinvention:.` H

1.` In a lubricating device, acasing for contain ings therein; saidr'openings having larger `inner portions than outer portions, Va delivery tubeleadr ing fromeach ofsaidopenings, saidtubes being each of a sizeto substantially -iitin the,V smaller part of therespective opening andhaving 1an exf` pa'nded inner end `fitting the inner `portion of theg, opening, ,.and. means to.4 force ulubricant i through said openings.into-saidtubes;` v-

`2. In` a :lubricating mechanism, ai casing `for containing a lubricant supply and having ai plu+ rality. of, outlets, delivery conduits leading from" said outlets, a plurality of crossheads in said cas`V ing, guiding means for said crossheads on they side Walls of Vsaid casing, said crossheads being-v formedfor complemental engagement With said guiding means, means for actuating said cross- Y heads, and means positively connected to said crossheads and responsive tothe actuation thereof for forcing lubricant through said conduits.

Y 3. In lubricating means, a casing for containing a supply of lubricant and having" a `plurality Aof outlets, delivery tubes leading from said outlets, headed plungers for `forcing lubricant through said tubes, crossheads over said p lung, ers, said crossheads being formed of complemental stampings secured together around the heads of said plungers, and means" for actuating said l crossheads.

4. -In means of thecharacter described, a casingV for containing a supply of .lubricant and having a pluralityof outlets, a cover for said casing, meansV in said` casing for forcing lubricant through said outlets, a shaft forV driving, said Vmeans, and bearing seats for said shaft integral heads for forcing lubricant-through said outlets.

6.In means of the character described, a casing for containing'a supply of lubricant, a'false bottom in said casing and provided with a plurality of apertures, a realbottomin Vsaid casing spaced below said false bottom to form a cham- Y ber fed With lubricant: by vgravity through cer- Vtain of said apertures, and said real bottom being provided with a plurality of outlets each in line vvithone of said apertures, plungers in said casing extending throughcertain of said aper-Vv turesjto'be guidedby said Vfalse bottom, and j means Vformovingsaidplungers into and outof said outlets to force lubricant therethrough.' t

7. In means of the character described, a-casing for .containing a, supplyV of lubricant and having Ia-plurality of outlets, plungers in said casingpo` sitionedfto force-lubricant through said outlets,

-a shaftA in said casing, having. a spiral groove therealong, driving means for said. shaft, and cams on vsaid shaft for operating/said plungers and-each` having a key thereon seated said groeve, said keys beingsymmetricallylocated on said1carns,vvhereby-saidcams-are out of phase andthe load on the shaft isequalized.

8. A I'he .method of installing a 4lubricating sys'-4 tem having a central mechanism for forcing lubr. cant through delivery tubes, consisting of mount ing said central mechanism in a desired location,

' attaching.` a plurality of .tubes at their ends `to each of Va Vplurality ofbase plates, bundlingthe -tubes'connected to each plate, attaching the vother ends of a bundlelof tubes `to bearing points in4 a certain regionof the apparatus to be lubricated,

filling said bundle of tubes with lubricant, connecting thebase plate of s aidbundleto said central mechanismaftertheflling operation, and doingY likewise with theremainingz bundlesof tubes. v s

9. Ina; lubricating-mechanism, a casing `for containing a Vsupply offlubricant and havingv an outlet, Areciprocatoryl means in lsaid casing for' forcingflubricant through saidoutlemmeans on the side wallsi of said'casing, forming guidesor Ysaid reciprocatory means, and a part of said reciprocatoryV means being Vformed to complementally engage said last mentioned means.

10. In a mechanism of the character described,

a casing for containing a lubricant supply and Y having a plurality of outlet conduits, recipro-` catory means for lforcing-lubricant through said conduits, said means being disposed in rows both longitudinally and transversely of Vsaid casing, each row including a pluralityofsaid means,

parallel crossheadsin said casing eachengaged.Y

vvith all the reciprocatory means in an entire row in one of said directions, means for reciprocating .said crossheads, guide means on the side walls of j said casing, and said crossheads being formed on opposite sides forcomplemental engagement with said guide means.

11. In a mechanism ofthe character describedf a casingfor containing a vlubricant supply'ahd having an outlet conduit, means for forcing lubricant through said conduit, a crosshead for actuating said means, guide means on the side Walls of said casing, said crosshead being formed on opposite sides for complemental engagement with said guide means',` means for driving said f crosshead, and bearing seats for said last' men- Y tioned means formed integral, with said casing.-

12,111 a lubricating mechanism, a casing for containing a supply of lubricant and havinga plurality of outlet openings therein, a delivery conduit leading from each of 'said openings, plungers in said casing in alignment with said openings, a plurality of crosshead means in said casing each connected to` a plurality of said plungersfor positively moving said plungers both into and out of saidopenings, each opening being iilled `with lubricant fromV said Vcasing by gravity upon Vthe Withdrawal of the respective plunger,

Aand each plunger upon its in. stroke positively forcing'an amount of lubricant through the rel spective conduit equivalent `to the volume of the part of plunger entering the opening. Y

13. In a lubricating mechanism, a casing for Ymeans,` each of said memloeilsrbeing operatively on the -ends of saidicrosslheads and casing for tures.

containing a supply of lubricant and `having a sadshaftior*operating said cross heads,` a plupluralityof outlet openings, a conduit leading ralityr'of-plungers operatively'connected to each frornfeach -of said openings, meansmovable into cross-head, lubricant delivery tubes attached to and out of said openings, said openings filling with the bottom ofthe casing and having enlarged lubricant bygravity VWhen said means are withportions for receiving said plungers. drawn, and a plurality of drivingmeans for p osi- 16. In a lubricating-system, `a,lubricantfcontively forcingv the rst said means into rand out taining casing, a shaft journalled'in said casing,

offsaid openings, each of said driving means being aA plurality of cross heads surrounding said shaft,

rin )r'inected to aplurality of theV rst'said means, lcooperating means upon said casing and the ends each 'rst1 said means exertingv pressur directly of saidrcross heads for guiding the latter lin rection the lubricant in the respective open ng on the linear paths, cams upon said shaft for operating in Vnic'x'vement and positively forcing said lubricant said cross heads, a plurality .of plungers'conthrough therrrespective conduit. f nectedv-to-Veach cross head,j amember attached to 14..In-a-lubr-icating mechanism,a casing for the bottom of the casing, said'j member having containing va supply-ofv lubricant and havingl a apertures with vrestricted portions, lubricant deplur'alityuof outlet eixings, a conduit leadingl liverypipesvsecured'in said apertures and'adapted4 from'fea'chofsaid opemv s, reeiprocatory means for'receiving thellowe'r portions ofsaid-vplungers. for positivly'forci'ng lubrantthroughvsaid'con- 17. In a lubricating system, a lubricant 'conduits, Ysaid conduits lling Wfwricant from taining casing, a shaftextending through" said said casing by gravity upon thefout reciprocating means, and a plurality driving operating means upon said casing and the ends of members for forcibly actuatingr said reciproc Said cross heads for guiding the latter in rectiinwpaths, cams upon said shaft for operating associated` With a plurality of gsaid reciprocating said `cross heads, Va plunger connected .to each means', and said members being arranged to suc- Ycross head, means Within said casing for guiding cessivelycomplete their-:movements in either disaid plungers, a member attached to the bottom rection. ,Il of the casing and havingapertures inA alinement 15. Ina lubricating system, a lubricant con- -with said plungers, said apertures having upper tain'ingcasing, a shaft journalled in said casing, enlargements for receiving said plungers, and cross heads upon`said shaft,V cooperating means lubricant delivery pipes secured in said `apervguiding the former in rectilinear paths, cams upon Y ROBERT E. PETRIE.

okes of said casing, cross headsv surrounding said shaft,i co' 

